The The average cost of starting school in 2024 is $874.68 per student.according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. Households with children and teenagers from elementary school to high school are expected to spend this much – the second highest in the history of the survey – on Clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics.

For For college students, spending rises to an average of $1,364.75 for things for the upcoming school year (total spending is expected to be $86.6 billion).

Expenditure categories

The Parents of children and adolescents in schools – elementary or secondary schools – expect an average expenditure of “$309.35 for electronics (total of 13.7 billion US dollars), 253.29 US dollars for Clothing and accessories (total $11.2 billion), 141.62 School supplies (totaling $6.3 billion) and $170.43 for Shoes (total $7.6 billion).”

For College students the number is increasing and the top five categories include:

– $359.49 on average for electronics (total $22.8 billion);

– $192.40 for Bedroom or apartment furniture (total $12.2 billion);

– $171.06 on Clothing and accessories (total $10.9 billion);

– $149.71 on Eat (total $9.5 billion);

– $112.60 on Shoes (total $7.1 billion).

Most purchases are made online

Since the beginning of July More than half (55%) of shoppers said they had already started purchasing items for the school yearKatherine Cullen, NRF’s vice president of industry and consumer information, said:

“The back-to-school and college season is an important time for retailers and consumers (…) Families and students can’t wait to start shopping for the start of the school year. Retailers have anticipated this early demand and are well positioned to offer a variety of products at competitive prices.”

According to the survey, the most popular shopping destinations are “for students and their parents who are just starting college” online (50%)followed by Department stores (35%), Discount Shops (31%)and college bookstores, office supply stores and Clothing stores (26%).” Loud Phil Rist, Executive Vice President of Strategy at Prosper:

“Last year’s peak was partly due to record investments in electronics. 69% of back-to-school shoppers planned to buy a laptop, tablet or other electronic device for their students (…) Typically, these are items that students use for several years, which may be why we’re seeing slightly lower interest in electronics this year.”